Role of Maritime Transportation in Worldwide Economics

Any type of transportation of goods or people through water is known as maritime transportation. Freight transport by sea is used from a very long period of time. However, the importance of sea travel is diminished for passengers, pleasure cruises and short trips are still popular. Maritime transportation is cheaper than air transportation.

Uses of maritime transportation

Because of maritime transportation, it’s possible to transport goods or people over oceans, lakes, rivers and through canals by using boat, ship, sailboat or barge. The major waterways of the world are an integral part of worldwide economics and are very important. Maritime shipping can be used for commerce, recreation or military purposes. Maritime transportation is not the best option for time-critical delivery materials such as perishable produce.

Liner: This type of ship has been operated to a schedule with a regular run. These ships are better equipped to tackle any obstruction which could delay the schedule such as bad weather. These ships are more expensive than tramp ships because these ships had high power and better seakeeping qualities. Though these ships are specially built for passenger and container operation, it is also used for mail and general cargo.

Tramp: This type of ship has no fixed run. Ship owner can charter a ship and crew to fetch a cargo from point A to B and then goes to fetch another cargo from point C to D. This type of ship can go wherever a cargo leads it to.

At least 90% of the things we buy are shipped via trans-ocean transportation. The product flow made by these containers is the real reason behind the idea of globalization.